Pope Francis' Coronation Gift to King Charles Revealed Ahead of Ceremony

Pope Francis has a gift for King Charles ahead of his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in London, England.

The 86-year-old religious leader is blessing the coronation ceremony with a “holy gift” added to a cross, which is believed to be connected to Jesus Christ, via People.

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The cross that will lead the coronation procession is called the Cross of Wales, featuring two splinters reportedly taken from the cross Jesus was crucified on 2,000 years ago.

According to The Times, the approximately 0.2 and 0.4 inches of wood are a “personal coronation gift” from the Pope to the King.

The splinters have been arranged in the shape of a cross at the center of the Cross of Wales behind a rose crystal gemstone in the center.

“It’s hugely significant. It’s a remarkable thing that the King has been able to find favor with the Vatican and as a result of that very good relationship, Pope Francis has agreed to gift these small fragments of the holy cross,” the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev. Andrew John, told The Times in a statement.

The commemorative cross is made of recycled silver bullion with Welsh windfall timber and slate. King Charles added “King’s Mark” (leopard’s head) to the cross during a visit to Goldsmiths’ in November of 2022, via People.

Find out which other royal jewels will be on display at the coronation ceremony, and how much they’re worth!